With this conversion I wasn’t going to compromise on performance, have always
longed for a V8. Never fancied a Rover or an American, it’s all been done before,
besides I always like to do things differently. As always the donor car was crucial,
options were BMW 5 series, Lexus LS400 or Jaguar XJR, they were all possible
with the PA. I also needed to purchase a complete car, and to keep costs down
preferably one with damage, but not on the chassis.
The Lexus has only 280 BHP, BMW were always high mileage or were too expensive,
so that left the Jaguar. The pre 1998 models have 322 BHP but after 98 that goes
up to 370 with the 4 litre V8 supercharger.
Then in August 2007 Universal Salvage had a 2001 V8 with 77,000 miles up for
auction, after 3 attempts with it not reaching its reserve, they relented and sold
it to me for £1850, (£600 below my top bid in the first auction). Amazingly it
came with premium sound system, satellite navigation, cruise control, air con,
phone system, leather interior etc. etc. all will be fitted in the PA.
Looks nice here in sunny Jersey, but was hiding rust and structural horrors
Next I bought a PA from Colin Clarke in Jersey. I suspected the car was probably
beyond economic restoration, having been patched up by a previous owner to Colin
many years before, but it was ideal for my purposes. On stripping the car down it
was worse than I imagined, the repairs done probably 15 years ago were not good,
the floor and sills were totally rotten, the car was starting to drop in the middle.
This made me feel better, because I wasn’t going to cut up a good restorable
example, this car could only have been used for spares.
The plans for this project are to keep the entire floor of the Jaguar including the sills.
Not only are the sills the same shape and width apart as the Cresta, but also
because they form part of the structure they are incredibly strong.
Because the bonnet and front wings will need extending, Jonathan had the great
idea to convert her into a 2 door. This will improve the proportions; see the mock-up
above I made up on the computer. The colours are only an idea at the moment;
the cream would match the leather seats. Knowing my track record on choosing
paint I’ll probably change my mind. The wheels are also from the Jaguar, note
the rear wheel sits further back because of the Jaguars slightly longer wheelbase.
This will look good in the Cresta, 370 BHP as well
Most of the interior will be used, with some colour changes
What follows is a progress report on
the restoration and
customising of the Cresta.
This is the 8th Cresta/Jaguar update. This will be the penultimate one because the car is very near completion. The next update will have photos of the finished car and info of where she will be shown, hopefully in August. If you would like to be notified of when and where just email me and I will put you on the list.
I next turned my attention to the doors. Although I knew the mechanics of the locking and electric windows were sorted months ago, I still had to make small adjustments while building up the doors for everything to work. I’m very pleased that the remote locking and factory fitted alarm work, although the window glass is a different story.
I made templates of the glass and sent them away for cutting and toughening. Unfortunately the glass came back wavy; obviously when heated up they sank in between the rollers. I have now sent them back and told the glazers to do them properly.
This photo shows the inside door with motor, ECU and internal handle
While I was playing with the doors I trial fitted the mirrors, I got them from a company specialising in motorbike accessories. Couldn’t find car ones I liked.
This photo shows the Jaguar door handles. I couldn’t use the original chrome ones because of the central door locking. Although this is a compromise I don’t think it detracts from the original Cresta shape that I have gone to great lengths to keep.
Building of the door cards was something that would require some thought. I have made plenty of flat cards in the past but these were different. They would be wrap around, a lot harder to make. I decided that they should be made in 2 pieces, the top half being a flat panel.
This photo shows the early stages building the lower section out of ABS plastic and Vauxhall Movano rear door cards (greatmaterial to work with). The door pull handles are chrome.
Until I get the glass back I can’t finish the doors, so I turned to the fuel tank. Once this is in I can get Kevin over (who is a Jaguar mechanic) to change the drive belts, check the gearbox and axle levels, do an engine service and start her up for the first time in 2 years.
Even though the car has always been in a dry workshop I wasn’t going to take any chances, so Kevin prepared the engine for the initial start up by removing all 8 spark plugs and lubricating the bores.
These photos show the tank in with the redesigned pipe work and the Jaguar filler flap which locks with the remote control. The units to the left are sat nav, amplifier and CD changer.
I couldn’t of been more pleased when she fired up; the engine is smooth and quiet.
Only when she’s revved do you realised it’s a V8.
Another friend Martin then came over to charge up the air conditioning. Again this works fine. I have never had a car build like it, everything is working first time. Must admit I was relieved when all the electric seat adjustment and seat heaters worked; that would have been a pain to fix. I will be touching lots of wood hoping this trendcontinues.
This photo shows the detachable panel I had to make to gain access to the wiper linkage. Note the new position for the wiper arms.
While outside I took these photos before the chroming came back.
Behind the stainless steel mesh are oil coolers for the engine and gearbox.
And with some chrome, note the chromed ‘B’ post.
Because the sidelights are in the headlamp I now have 2 indicator lights.
There is still chrome to go round the rear side window and front screen, and the bonnet edge. (That’s still at the chromers, I made one because they are rare and I refuse to pay silly money.)
Keep an eye out for the final update it will be soon. With information on where and when the Cresta will be on show.
Thanks for all your fantastic comments and interest in the project, I am pleased to say I have had not one negative reaction, hopefully see you soon at a show.
To see a history of this project click on 'Cresta history'
as usual if you would like to be notified about the next update please e-mail me paulnov21@hotmail.com
